Anyone can grow roses - all that's needed is a spot with 6 hours of sun a day as long as it’s morning sun. Roses do not do well in morning shade and afternoon sun. Roses are even well suited to container growing, so you don't have the excuse of no garden space!
If planting bareroot roses, first soak roots in lukewarm water for 12 to 24 hours. If you can’t plant your roses right away, you may leave them in their boxes for up to a week in a cool, dark place. Be sure to sprinkle roots with water every few days.
Dig a hole about 12" deep and 24" wide. Make sure it’s large enough to give the plant’s root system plenty of room to develop after planting. Loosen the soil at the bottom and sides with your shovel.
Fill the hole with water. It should drain in one hour. If the water remains longer, dig deeper to improve the drainage – or mound your soil and plant the rose in a raised bed.
Build a mound in the center of the hole to support roots. Set rose on top, making sure the crown our bud union (the point where the canes join together at the shank) is below ground level by at least one inch, or a little lower in cold climates.
Fill the hole with two thirds of the remaining soil mixed with peat moss or compost. Tamp down gently with your hands. Add water, let it soak in, then finish filling the hole with soil. Tamp down lightly and water well.
Spread mulch, compost or bark chips around the plant to suppress weed growth and help retain moisture. Water 3 to 4 times a week until leaves begin to grow.
Your plants will leaf out faster if you mist the canes as often as possible while they’re getting started. Roses need plenty of moisture both above and below the soil to develop fully.
